Advancing Battlefield Targeting by AFATDS: The Army’s Next-Gen Fires Platform

In the ever-evolving landscape of modern warfare, precision and agility are paramount. To maintain its edge on the battlefield, the US Army is embarking on a transformative journey with the development of the Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System Next (AFATDS Next). This ambitious initiative aims to revolutionize the Army’s core artillery targeting system, ushering in a new era of enhanced capabilities and operational effectiveness.

US Army’s Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS)

The Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS) represents a critical advancement in modern warfare, revolutionizing the coordination and execution of fire missions. Serving as a sophisticated fire control system, AFATDS collects and processes battlefield data from various sources, enabling artillery units to engage targets with pinpoint accuracy while minimizing collateral damage.

The military importance of the Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS) lies in its ability to enhance accuracy, accelerate response times, increase situational awareness, and improve interoperability on the battlefield. Through automation of complex calculations and integration of real-time data, AFATDS significantly improves fire accuracy, minimizing the need for excessive rounds and reducing civilian casualties. Additionally, streamlining communication and decision-making processes enables quicker responses to threats, enhancing battlefield agility and responsiveness. By providing commanders with a comprehensive view of the battlefield, AFATDS fosters better tactical planning and execution, ultimately leading to more effective mission outcomes. Moreover, AFATDS facilitates seamless communication and data sharing between different artillery units and branches, promoting coordinated fire missions and joint operations, thus enhancing overall military effectiveness.

AFATDS’s modular design allows for customization and flexibility, with key components including hardware, software, databases, and user interfaces. However, the system faces challenges such as cybersecurity threats, integration with legacy systems, and the rapidly evolving battlefield landscape.

Additionally, the Army is enhancing cybersecurity measures and promoting open architecture to encourage broader participation in development and innovation. To address these challenges, the Army is pursuing modernization efforts, such as AFATDS Next, a cloud-based platform that promises improved data integration and accessibility. Despite these challenges, AFATDS remains a cornerstone of modern military operations, ensuring precision firepower and battlefield dominance.

What is AFATDS Next?

The US Army is poised to revolutionize its fires support capabilities with the development of a next-generation platform aimed at enhancing precision and agility on the battlefield. AFATDS Next is not merely a replacement for its predecessor but a comprehensive modernization effort. It encompasses a suite of advanced applications designed to address the shortcomings of the current system while embracing the latest technological advancements. By leveraging modern architecture and cloud-based infrastructure, AFATDS Next offers greater flexibility, interoperability, and scalability, empowering commanders with real-time situational awareness and decision-making capabilities.

Mark Kitz, program executive officer for command, control, communications-tactical, emphasizes the importance of retaining AFATDS’s core mathematical functions while integrating new data sources and platforms seamlessly. This modern architecture will enable soldiers to access a suite of applications tailored for targeting, enhancing efficiency and effectiveness on the battlefield.

Key Features and Benefits:

Cloud-Based Architecture and Increased Access; A key aspect of AFATDS Next is its transition to a cloud-based architecture, replacing the current laptop-based system. This shift not only reduces hardware requirements but also improves accessibility for soldiers, who can now access AFATDS through web browsers or mobile devices like the Android Team Awareness Kit. By leveraging cloud technology, the Army aims to streamline data sharing and collaboration, both within the force and with partner nations, fostering interoperability and enhancing mission effectiveness.

Data Integration: AFATDS Next focuses on seamlessly integrating data from diverse sources, including new sensors and platforms, to provide commanders with a comprehensive and accurate picture of the battlefield. By consolidating information in a centralized cloud-based environment, decision-makers can access critical data anytime, anywhere, facilitating faster and more informed decision-making.

Enhanced Collaboration: The platform enables seamless information sharing and collaboration among allied forces and partner nations, fostering interoperability and enhancing joint operations. By streamlining communication channels and standardizing data formats, AFATDS Next facilitates smoother coordination and cooperation on the battlefield.

Modern Architecture: AFATDS Next represents a departure from legacy systems, leveraging modern software development practices to enhance agility and adaptability. By embracing open standards and modular design principles, the platform can evolve rapidly to meet evolving mission requirements, ensuring long-term viability and sustainability.

Cost Savings: The transition to a cloud-based architecture and open competition model has the potential to reduce development and maintenance costs significantly. By leveraging commercial off-the-shelf solutions and fostering innovation through industry engagement, the Army can maximize its return on investment and deliver cost-effective solutions to the warfighter.

Industry Engagement and Iterative Modernization

The Army’s approach to modernization is iterative, with plans for extensive industry engagement followed by a contract issuance aimed at modernizing the fires architecture in fiscal 2024. Kitz underscores the importance of moving away from legacy code and embracing modern software solutions. By opening up the modernization process to a broader pool of industry partners, the Army seeks innovative solutions that can propel fires support into the future.

Challenges and Oppurtunities:

Despite its transformative potential, AFATDS Next faces several challenges that must be addressed to ensure its successful implementation. These include the seamless transition of legacy systems, ensuring data security in a cloud-based environment, and facilitating user adoption through comprehensive training and support programs.

While the transition to AFATDS Next presents challenges such as data security and user adoption, it also offers opportunities to enhance targeting accuracy, situational awareness, and interoperability. By proactively addressing these challenges, the Army can mitigate risks and maximize the benefits of this groundbreaking initiative. By addressing these challenges head-on and leveraging the latest technologies, the Army is poised to transform fires support capabilities, providing soldiers with the tools they need to succeed in the dynamic and complex battlespace of the future.

Looking Ahead:

The development of AFATDS Next represents a significant step forward in the Army’s modernization efforts, signaling a commitment to staying ahead of emerging threats and technologies. As the US Army continues to modernize its fires platform, AFATDS Next stands poised to revolutionize battlefield targeting and enhance the Army’s overall lethality and effectiveness. By embracing innovation, collaboration, and adaptability, the Army is poised to revolutionize fires support, ensuring that soldiers have the capabilities they need to maintain dominance on the battlefield. With AFATDS Next, the future of targeting is brighter than ever, promising enhanced precision, agility, and effectiveness in the face of evolving challenges.